We call it office relocation.  With todays technology, you can be on "vacation" and your cleints never know you left town.  We always find that if we plan a "vacation" the pendings will get very busy just before we leave, so we like to say take a "vacation every month". 

I take a few days here and there and it never fails-I always have an offer on a listing when I go away!  LOVE IT

There is never a good time.  Generally I take short 3 and 4 day trips with the family.  I took 8 days last summer to drive my son to college and visit some family on the way.  

Whenever you are slow, plan a vacation. That's a guaranteed way to screw everything up and cost you deposits

August and around holidays.  August is super hot in TX and school starts the 3rd week typically in Central Texas.  I find the first three weeks of August to be slow & it's a good time to escape the heat.

I end up taking my laptop, ipad and iphone.  Finally went on a well deserved vacation to celebrate my daughters 21st birthday on Jan 2nd, was only gone for 4 days.   My phone rang off the wall with clients wanting to view homes or with questions.  Everyone knew I was out of town.   So go on vacation it will create a stir in your business.  

Life is too short to worry and too long not to do well.  In our line of work, there is no such thing as time off, as we get alot of time off each week, so its a sacrifice.  But........   We all deserve a vacation and should not feel guilty for doing so.  I do not work on Saturdday's, plain and simple, for religious reasons and my clients understand this when I start working with them.  In our business, sometimes asking another person in our industry to help is the first step.  If that doesn't work, use a referral system and pay someone.  Or take your vacation, and enjoy it when you want to take it! 

No matter what you tell anyonethat is not in the industry, they come first and your feelings are not welcome in 95% of the case.  I get frustrated by people who don't care adn are unloyal.  But...... when you go to continuing education you cannot help clients and feel less guilty, so I suggest one thing to remember, who's in control of you?  Visit www.BryanDodge.com and find out what the barn is.  That will be the answer to your question.  People are on the beach working or thinking about work, BE WHERE YOUR AT WHEN YOUR THERE! 

june / july .. school break... BUT have a great back up person who runs the show when I am away and I stay in touch via email daily for any emergencies

When friends call out for a vacation..... I simply go in "mobile mode"  tablet Ipad-Iphone-charger etc.

I don't there is no one to take over if I go on vacation.  It is what it is for the moment

Whenever I want because there's never a "good" time. It never fails that when I leave town every buyer I've ever met and every seller I've been helping needs something. It helps to have great backup in the office and good communication systems for keeping in touch. Just go. And enjoy.

Always mid February and mid July--regardless of work schedule otherwise we would never get away! Taking time for yourself and traveling to new points of interest brings renewal and energy back into your business!

John, we just haven't been able to get away the past couple of years except for the NAR Convention in San Francisco a year ago.

Every time I need to get busy I plan a vacation. It never fails...

I put them in my planner in January.  Doing one week in July, one in September and one in December.  Other than that I've got several long weekends planned.  If I was celebrating my 30th year in a big corporation, I'm sure I would have earned close to 5 weeks vacation.  My own business should be no different.  Oh, and my working partner is one super lady who travels as much as I do!

Vacation?? Can someone define that word for me.  I haven't taken a true vacation in 30+ years.  A few days here a few days there and every time I spend the whole time answering calls and dealing with business.

I only take short 2 or 3 day trips and a couple days at Christmas.

Planning an annual vacation period works best for me, so I schedule the last two weeks of July and the last two weeks of December. This allows me to manage my business so I can enjoy my vacations.

Vacation, what's that?

John, I find that in Iowa is slows down a lot just after Thanksgiving and Just before Christmas. So those are times when I try to take vacation, I own the company so it is tough to take time off but it is very important to get a break so you can come back fresh and energized. I usually schedule my time off and I have a very good office person who is a great help!

February vacation is usually a good time but inevitably every time I go work follows me somehow and my mobile and laptop help me do some of the work while away. We are family owned and all tend to go on vacations together so that is not always good but I usually have someone at the office to help with showings while I am gone. Thanksgiving and Christmas are slower times to leave but the past few years have proven to be busy...

Like other agents, I love to stay home between Christmas and New Year and Thanksgiving Day.  Of course never really off because I have my phone and computer.  Try to go back to Scotland for a short break each year usually March/April.  I do get another agent to help out although I still take have my iPhone and laptop with me. 

Vacation? I've heard of that, but not quite sure what it is.  I'll have to Google it.  ;-)

My wife is a poker player, so we get free trips all over, so I go on vacations when and where FREE takes us.  Whoo hoo!

A "vacation" is different than a few days around a holiday or event in my opinion. That said, in recent years we've been taking a week (both weekends) in June. My children are teachers so we make a family plan to go somewhere all together. I just returned from a cruise (7 night) and took off from a Thursday and returned to work on Monday.

As has been mentioned before, have another agent that you can reciporcate covering for when needed. That said, as long as I am in the states I can easily communicate with clients, title companies, inspectors and other agents. I don't find that to be an issue for me or my famly. I start talking with each client well in advance about my impending travel plans. I introduce the agent to any client that is likely going to have activity while I am gone.

I never go on vacation over spring break, but it seems like a lot of agents do.  This year I'm thinking of getting away over the Christmas break. 

My husband usually takes the majority of his vacation time during December and January so I schedule some time around that,  but we also schedule an annual cruise in October or November - best way to de-stress in my opinion!

Usually between 10PM and 6AM...oh wait, that's called SLEEP. OK, never mind...

As others have said, the best way to boost your business is to leave on vacation!  We went to FL last year in February, but had to drive at the last minute due to weather-cancelled flights.  I'm happy we didn't even attempt that this year.  We do have a 2nd house, on a lake, 35 minutes away and many of our "vacations" are spent there year-round.  If I do need to pop out for business, it's no big deal. 

Always over the Christmas/New Year's week.  Short trips throughout the year as events come up.  I just go into "mobile" mode

I usually take a nice vacation during the Christmas Holiday with my daughters and take a few days off in April to golf with my brothers in Florida.  Last year I went to France for about 12 days during April - a super busy time for  me.  Since my traveling companions slept in, I was able to work about an hour each  morning and maybe a bit more at night but handle most everything via emails.  I used something called Magicjack to make free international calls with my cell phone.   Was extremely worried about being away for so long but had no problems. 

The last two years I haven't taken any vacation -- just one or two days here or there to see family.  This year I'm taking the first two weeks of July off.  Although I'm sure I won't be really off.

It is usually by work schedule. Many times I go on drive abouts for a week snapping photos

I plan for just after Easter and just before Christmas. If I get slow, I will sometimes take a short unscheduled break.

There is one downside.  Just about every time I am due to leave on vacation, business starts to pour in. I have even had someone stop me while packing the car asking to write a contract on the house down the street!

I just need to stay in a constant leaving-for-vacation mode to become very wealthy.

Vacation is the first thing I schedule in January!  I get one week for my birthday (end of April) It is my personal time to re-group, focus and plan goals.  Four days around saint Patrick's day for annual family party. Four days in a row for Thanksgiving,  a week and a half for Christmas and three weeks in August.  I NEVER work on Sunday.

That said, I work really hard when I work, and 12 hour saturdays are normal.

In Texas, seems like August is a good month for Realtor vacations. We also usually do one in February since the market is quiet(ish) around then. 

Whenever I want. I never know when I might be busy, life is short, just go!

Typically it is time off at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas! Not the best schedule at all!

I find the there is never a great time to leave when you run your own business but the slowest period between Christmas and New Years is good and i always take school vacation off. Spending time with my daughter is priceless and i can not get it back. Working 7 days a week takes me away so much, my clients are happy fo rme to hear about our adventures. 

I try to head out to visit my daughter on the west coast either in May or end of September/beginning of October.  I will take some time off during the week between Christmas and New Year's.  My husband likes to take a vacation week during the summer, at which point I end up working part time.  

August.

Where do I go? Pompano Beach just north of Fort Lauderdale.

Do I work on vaction? if necessary.

Whenever I can squeeze something in. Later this month going to Colorado for several days to celebrate my birthday and my granddaughters 16th birthday. Normally, I go for two weeks to St Petersburg, Russia in October to visit my sisters.

It's really tough to take a full week away.  If possible, I like to take the 4th of July week to see family and then compliment that with long weekends a few times a year.

John - Typically our vacations revolve around my wife's work schedule, and our son's school and sports schedules. We often find a little time around the Christmas Holiday and some time in the Summer, which is a good time to get out of our area.

I like to try to take time off around Christmas and in the early spring. 

One week at the beach in late Spring, and another in late Summer. Other that that, I have vacations as business, and my children's schooling will allow.

Whenever a great opportunity comes around.  Recently, not as often as I should, as I was just saying last night that I'm about due.  I never take off 100% as some work always comes with me, but I've managed to handle the balancing act pretty well and enjoy time away.

We try to take vacations so we can see our elderly relatives, which are fewer every year. We have no set time.

Always one in May when I take a group backpacking at Haleakala Crater (great way to stay in shape!). And then usually in fall if we want to go abroad because shoulder season is a good time for that travel. July or August when we do our bi-annual family reunion because kids are out of school then.

No set time for me. I try to take mini-vacations throughout the year and one or two nicer ones centered around conventions or education opportunities. This year we are going to Alaska so that will be all on its own.

John Helmick usually in December during my wedding anniversary and we plan one in spring/summer with family.

Also visits to India are for at least 3-4 weeks long and is around some occassion in the family in India

I usually go according to business cycles...from Thanksgiving to New Year's business is typically slower.

Just recently took 17 days in Maui.  All the files are on the Cloud - I take everything I need to work.  After all, lounging around in the sun - Is that really working?  I also have another realtor that I partner with.  I will also visit with a realtor from the area I am visiting to create a new referral base.  

Realtors are always working whether you are on vacation or just lounging around the home.  Take the slow times and get away as often as possible even if it for just a couple of days.  New scenary has a way of re-energizing you!!

I totally agree with the agents who stated that vacations cause your business to take a major up tick. The phone starts ringing and listings start selling. That said I am going to plan a much needed vacation this week.

I am intent on trying to get away once a month with my family so that I am motivated to work hard in the meantime. 

I take vacation in the winter when places aren't swarmed with people. My wife and I went to the oregon coast a year ago and it was amazing and cold but fun we had the entire beach to ourselves!

Generally we go on average 4 vacations a year. There is never a good time so plan and we go. Spending time with family is very important to me but If I have phone connective I will call in on important stuff. 

Since I've been a real estate agent, we've been taking our vacation the same time every year - since our business is mostly seasonal, it just so happens that way.

I do however miss the quarterly vacations we used to take pre-real estate - but what can you do ;)

My wife who is my REALTOR® partner and I take around 30 days off every year divided into three major vacations. This year we head to Portland and the Oregon Copast around July 4, Italy in Septemebr, and we always take the last 20 days off of the year and go to Plam Brach County in Florida. We always choose a foreign country every year, and normally do Colorado for hiking every year but not this year.

I do my "office relocation" in early December and come back in January, generally about the second week. But I am also learning to schedule vacations around the times that other people go on vacation, such as the 4th of July, which coincides with my birthday at the end of June, and Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Memorial Day not so much because I am often too busy. But when you list homes and don't work with buyers, you have a lot more flexibility.

We do "work" vacations .... I try to go to AZ 1-2 times a year to visit my daughter, my son and grandchildren.  I also do a 4 day Sister's Weekend (this year in June) but they know me and the laptop is attached to my hip ... in reality, Life is a Vacation if you love what you do.  It's all in the attitude.  I make every opportunity to be the best it can be and am happy for every restful moment.

Vacation? What are those? I"m still working on full day's off.  LOL.  :-)

Quarterly 3-day trips; vacation dependent on activity and weather. Planning it in advance is essential, as is having a great back-up person handling business while I'm gone.

Fortunately in our particular niche we can and have been taking our biz on the road. We can be anywhere on the planet and conduct biz as long as we have a hot zone. The only time it's somewhat of a challenge is when in Europe. That 8 hour time difference can tax us a bit.

I can't remember the last time I took an actual vacation, so... I'd have to say "Whenever it happens."

Usually in June to help celebrate my Mom's Birthday. Her 90th is coming up this year and she is in Oregon, which gets us away for a week.

Generally combined with a business trip, or not at all.

Now this is difficult to answer for sure.

Rarely.

I am always working - even when I am on vacation.

What's a vacation?!

just checking on which questions have the most answers here at Activerain, this was one which sure got a good response from everyone.

It is a combination of both.  But as we all know when we as business owners go no vacation we are never completely on vacation.

I live in a vacation destination; Sedona, Arizona. While people pay good money to come stay here, I find that there are times when I too must leave this beautiful community and wonderful environment in order to recharge my batteries. As everyone else has mentioned, I plan for the slow time; in our market  that occurs between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which also co-insides with the time of the year our property requires the least amount of exterior maintenance. I know that the moment I book the vacation, business will go on high gear, so a colleague and I have worked out a back-up arrangement. We both take our tools and do what needs to be done from our vacation location, but if worst comes to worst, we have each other to fall back on. We pay each other O referral fee; we just treat whatever issue comes up with the respect we would like our clients to be treated with.  This week Ginny is in Indian Wells, so I am on the floor to seamlessly handle business for our clients.

Whenever I feel the need. I've become very good at using technology and feel comfortable representing clients from afar. The only thing that is difficult is showing homes. I try not to be gone more than a week at a time.

I travel as much as possible- my office friends so not ask for money when they help me- and I don't ask for money when I help them- it works out well.  We do not ask unless it is completely necessary and we do not have any other option. 

As my luck has it, I'm generally busier on vacation than other working days... I can blame or thank technology for this.  I'd say take vacations regularly and when you need/want.    

Dear John,

Any time, I can save up enough to afford it. I have a wonderful colleague, who covers for me, when I am off. I return the favor, when she needs to go somewhere. You need to sleep through the night at least one week per year in our business.